Kangaroo Island, South Australia
The Wildest Place in Australia
......................................................................................
Regions of Kangaroo Island
Destination for all Seasons
Summer : December - February
When summer approaches, wildlife move to bushland habitats to shelter themselves during the heat of the day. The land is a contrast of golden pastures against summer wild flowers and the new growth native trees.
- Kangaroos and Tammar wallabies are seen predominantly at dawn and dusk.
- Little penguins moult all their feathers at the end of the breeding season and can lose up to half their body weight.
- New Zealand Fur seals give birth to chocolate-brown pups.
- The Australian Sea-lion breeding season begins with pups born from January to June 2006.
- Heath goannas lay 10-17 eggs in the warm, stable, humid atmosphere of termite mounds, the perfect incubator.
- Koalas, wallabies and kangaroos give birth to tiny young, which are naked and blind.
Autumn : March - May
Pastures begin to green and waterways and catchments begin to flow. Autumn is a time of transition, with some rainfall gradually providing the wildlife with fresh growth to feed on.
- Glossy Black cockatoos and Little Penguins begin nesting.
- Black swans begin their courtship behavior of wing-raising, neck-stretching and loud trumpeting.
- Fungi start to appear on damp ground and rotting wood.
Winter : June - August
Winter is spectacular with lush green country side, flowing rivers and abundant wildlife: it's Kangaroo Island at its most appealing. Land mammals, predominately night, dawn and dusk feeders for most of the year, frequently come out by day.
- Koalas emerge from the mother's pouch and begin to ride on her back.
- Kangaroo and wallaby joeys start to emerge from the mother's pouch and feed by her side.
- Echidnas form 'mating trains' where up to eight males will follow a female for around four weeks.
- Waders, on their migration from Siberia, begin to arrive.
- Ospreys show off to their mates in spectacular courtship fights.
- Southern right whales pass the shores on their migration from Antarctic waters to the Great Australian Bight to calve.
Spring : September - November
Spring is the season of rebirth on Kangaroo Island. It is a wonderful time to see the spectacular array of wild flowers, birds and mammals.
- Wildflowers are in abundance. There are approximately 40 endemic floral species found on Kangaroo Island.
- Eucalyptus oil is in peak production. One tonne of leaf can produce up to 30 litres of oil.
- Cape Barren geese nest on top of the native iris grasses to incubate their eggs.
- Platypuses lay two eggs in a burrow up to 20 metres long.
Attractions & Must Sees
Events
Kangaroo Island Feastival
When: 26th to 30th April 2013 Where: Various locations around KI
Kangaroo Island Cup Carnival
When: 15th & 17th February 2013 Where: Cygnet River Racecourse, Kingscote More Information: (08) 8553 2011
Kangaroo Island WEST END BREWERY Speed Shears Weekend
When: 23rd & 24th November 2012 Where: Parndana Hotel For More Information: (08) 8559 6071 or parndanahotel@bigpond.com